Adjustable columns

ABSTRACT

An adjustable column for partitions in which first and second tubular members are arranged to be forced apart against abutments to furnish a column support. An external shroud is provided to conceal the internal components.

I Unite States atent 1 1,

Magers Nov.4,1975

[ ADJUSTABLE COLUMNS [76] Inventor: John Magers, 34 Station St., Harris Park, New South Wales, Australia, 2150 [22] Filed: Sept. 5, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 503,309

[52] US. Cl 248/356; 211/105.4 [51] Int. (I1. E04G 25/00; A47H 1/08 [58] Field of Search 248/354 S, 356, 402, 405;

2,637,555 5/1953 Klaudt 211/1054 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 851,533 10/1960 United Kingdom 248/354 955,546 1/1957 Germany 211/1054 26,697 1/1954 Finland 211/1056 Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier Assistant ExaminerRobert A. Hafer Attorney, Agent, or FirmBn'sebois & Kruger [57] ABSCT An adjustable column for partitions in which first and second tubular members are arranged to be forced apart against abutments to furnish a column support. An external shroud is provided to conceal the internal components.

5 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 ADJUSTABLE COLUMNS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to adjustable columns particularly for use with shelves, display stands and partitions.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable column which has a pleasing appearance yet is efficient in operation and easy to assemble and remove without damage to the associated components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an adjustable column comprising first and second members with abutment engaging portions at their distal ends, one of said members having a threaded portion and the other a socket portion to respectively receive an extension member having a co-operating threaded part at one end and a co-operating socket engaging part at the other end, the said members being displaced with respect to each other by rotation of said extension member with respect to the threaded portion to extend or shorten the distance between the abutment engaging portions, characterised in that a socket engaging buffer portion, as the abutment engaging portions are urged against fixed abutments, contacts a resilient member which is compressed as the extension member is rotated with respect to the threaded part to extend the distance between the abutment engaging portions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred form of the present invention is hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a front elevational view in section of the adjustable column.

In the drawing, the column includes first and second tubular members 10, 11 each of which at one end has a supporting member or flange 12 and 13 respectively. The tubular members 10, 11 are arranged so that their inner, ends l4, 15 are adjacent each other and the tubular members are axially aligned. One of the tubular members, normally the second or lowermost tubular member 11 is provided with a detachable flange which includes the aforementioned flange 13 or base portion with an upstanding tubular portion 16 which is received in the second tubular member 11. In a further embodiment the flange may be integrally attached to the tubular member.

In each tubular member there is mounted a bearing member 17, 18 which desirably is made out of plastic such as nylon and has a locating shoulder 19, 20 which prevents it from normally being inserted fully into the associated tubular members 10, 11 respectively.

An extension member 21, comprising a threaded portion 22 which is threaded in one of the plastic members 18 and an extension portion 23 which is slidably arranged in the other plastic member 17, which is a socket member, is positioned so that rotation of one tubular member 10, 11 with respect to the other or rotation of the extension member 21 will allow the distance between these components to be varied either outwards or inwards. A lock nut 24 may be provided on the threaded portion to limit the movement and this can be tightened at the desired extension to prevent further movement.

The components can have a resilient member such as a coil spring 25 inserted in the space in the tubular member 10 associated with the slidable plastic insert or socket member 17 and normally a washer or other buffer member 26 is positioned between said plastic socket member 17 and the spring 25 so it engages the socket member 17. The rod part 23 of theextension member 21 engages against the washer 26 and tends to compress the spring 25 as the members are extended and a reaction force is established through the respective flange members 12, 13 contacting an abutment such as a floor and ceiling structure.

The space between the tubular plastic inserts 17, 18

' is arranged to be encased and covered by a slidable plastic external member 27 which is adapted to cover at least a portion of both tubular members 10, 11. External member 27 can be prevented from sliding along the tubular members 10, 11 by means ofa screw 28 entering the tubular member 10.

The plastic inserts 17, 18 can be replaced with metal inserts and the term tubular includes square or round tubes.

What I claim is:

1. An adjustable column comprising first and second tubular members axially aligned with each other and with abutment engaging portions at their distal ends, one of said members having a threaded portion and the other a socket portion to respectively receive an extension member having a co-operating threaded part at one end and a co-operating socket engaging part at the other end, the said members being displaced with respect to each other by rotation of said extension member with respect to the threaded portion to extend or shorten the distance between the abutment engaging portions, a buffer member in said first tubular member, a resilient member in said first tubular member between said abutment engaging portion and said buffer member and urging the buffer member toward the socket portion, the socket engaging part of the extension member engaging the buffer member, as the abutment engaging portions are urged against fixed abutments, to compress the resilient member as the extension member is rotated with respect to the threaded portion to extend the distance between the abutment engaging portions, the socket portion and threaded portion having flanged parts at their adjacent ends to retain them in position in said tubular members, and the first tubular member being sheathed with a casing member which extends to cover the second tubular member.

2. A column as claimed in claim 1 in which at least one of the abutment engaging portions is detachably mounted on one of the tubular members.

3. A column as claimed in claim 1 in which the threaded portion is plastic and the socket portion is plastic.

4. A column as claimed in claim 1 in which the casing member is releasibly connected to the first tubular member so that the casing can be released and moved to a position to expose the extension member.

5. A column as claimed in claim 1 wherein said extension member includes a lock nut on the threaded part so that on tightening the lock nut extending or shortening of the extension member is prevented. 

1. An adjustable column comprising first and second tubular members axially aligned with each other and with abutment engaging portions at their distal ends, one of said members having a threaded portion and the other a socket portion to respectively receive an extension member having a co-operating threaded part at one end and a co-operating socket engaging part at the other end, the said members being displaced with respect to each other by rotation of said extension member with respect to the threaded portion to extend or shorten the distance between the abutment engaging portions, a buffer member in said first tubular member, a resilient member in said first tubular member between said abutment engaging portion and said buffer member and urging the buffer member toward the socket portion, the socket engaging part of the extension member engaging the buffer member, as the abutment engaging portions are urged against fixed abutments, to compress the resilient member as the extension member is rotated with respect to the threaded portion to extend the distance between the abutment engaging portions, the socket portion and threaded portion having flanged parts at their adjacent ends to retain them in position in said tubular members, and the first tubular member being sheathed with a casing member which extends to cover the second tubular member.
 2. A column as claimed in claim 1 in which at least one of the abutment engaging portions is detachably mounted on one of the tubular members.
 3. A column as claimed in claim 1 in which the threaded portion is plastic and the socket portion is plastic.
 4. A column as claimed in claim 1 in which the casing member is releasibly connected to the first tubular member so that the casing can be released and moved to a position to expose the extension member.
 5. A column as claimed in claim 1 wherein said extension member includes a lock nut on the threaded part so that on tightening the lock nut extending or shortening of the extension member is prevented. 